Snap fastener



March 2, 1943. H..J. REITER 2,312,442

' v SNA;D FASTENER Filed .nil-y ys, 1941 /NI/EN 7275 /71527235 J /FE/TL? Patented Mar. 2, 1943 UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE SNAP FASTENER Harold J. Reiter, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 5, 1941, Serial No. 401,145

8 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in separable snap fastener installations and more particularly to structurally improved resilient socket elements.

The present invention is concerned with snap fastener socket elements having a reinforced stud receiving socket and associated piercing tangs for cooperative engagement and clinching in suitable attaching elements. The instant structures constitute an improvement in the types of snap fastener elements illustrated and claimed in my Patent No. 2,235,168, issued March 18, 1941, and also in my co-pending application Serial No. 383,685, led March 17, 1941.

The instant improvements embrace a structure wherein resilient stud engaging fingers of an expansible socket element are adequately reinforced against unwarranted fiexing outwardly and permanent distortion and include piercing tangs integral with or attached thereto for securing the element to the material with which they are related.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a novelly constructed snap fastener element having a reinforced resilient stud receiving socket and struck-out piercing tangs.

Another object is to provide novelly constructed female snap fastener elements having tangs struck from the body thereof and disposed to -pierce a sheet of material on which the elements are mounted; the tangs being positioned so as to be entirely concealed when the elements are installed.

' Another object is to provide a snap fastener installation of a type wherein complemental portions of the material to which the fastener elements are attached are spaced but a minimum distance apart when the elements are inter-engaged.

Another object is to provide a female snap fastener element having a semi-floating reinforced `resilient stud receiving socket and attached piercing tangs.

- Another object is to provide a strong, efficient and inexpensively constructed snap fastener installation embodying novel structural features facilitating ready and secure attachment.

The forego-ing and such other objects of the invention as will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, will be more readily understood from a perusal of the following description; in which reference is had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View of one embodiment of the snap fastener installation.

Fig. 2 is a plane view of the outside or exposed face of the socket element illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plane view of the stud element shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of socket element.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through another form of socket element.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View through a socket element having an attached socket guard provided with integral piercing tangs.

Fig. -7 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified fo-rm of a socket of the type illustrated in Fig. 6.

Referring particularly to the snap fastener installation illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, the fastener includes male and female members II and I2. Said members are secured, respectively, to separate complemental portions of fabric, leather or other sheet material I3 and are arranged to detachably interlock to hold said portions together.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the male member I I consists of a circular stud element I4 and attaching element I5. The stud element I4 is formed integral preferably from a thin circular sheet of metal. A substantially cylindrical wall denes a centrally located tubular body or stud portion I6 which is formed by striking or drawing the metal of the sheet upwardly. The stud portion I6 preferably is elo-sed at its top and its cylindrical wall bows outwardly and then tapers inwardly downwardly, to provide a restricted throat, and finally outwardly to merge with a circular flange portion I1.

The flange II preferably lies in a substantially horizontal plane and its outer circumferential margin preferably is turned downwardly and then inwardly to provide a, reinforced edge I8. Obviously, the circumferential edge of the flange may be left raw, in which instance a thinner stud element is provided. A plurality of pointed piercing tangs I S preferably are struck out of the body of the flange Il surrounding the stud I6. These tangs, preferably three in number, extend downwardly substantially at right angles to the plane of the flange I'I, as shown.

To mount the male member, the stud element I4 is placed over one face of the sheet of material I3 with its body or stud I6 disposed away from said material. The piercing tangs I9 are then forced through the material until the reinforced edge 8 of the ange rests against the face thereof. The attaching element l5, which is shown as a molded plastic cap for the purpose of this illustration, is arranged in axial alignment with the stud element |4 against the other face of the material I3 prior to the piercing operation. As shown in Fig. 1, one face of the attaching element I5 is annularly grooved and undercut as at 2|. The inside wall 22 of the groove is gradually lcurved outwardly and kdownwardly to present an anvil surface which is contacted by the free ends of the tangs I9 when the latter are initially pressed downwardly thereagainst. Continued pressure causes the tangs to curl or roll outwardly radially along said anvil surface 22 and clinch in the undercut or circumferential channel 23.

Although the mounting operation may be -accomplished by hand, it preferably is effected by the use of a suitable power press to insure sufficient 'curling of 'the tang's within the "channel 23. This prevents separation of the male 'and attaching element fandclam'ps Vthe sheet of material-securely therebetween. When the member iis attached, the Vtangs arewholly concealed from view due to their being spaced inwardly from the circumferential edge of the stud element It is apparent Itha't the tangs I9 cannot rst be driven through `'the material and then carefully fitted into the annular channel o'f the attaching element l5. Accordingly, the annular 'entrance slot 24, fdened by the Walls ofthe groove 2|, is considerably wider than the .thickness vof Ythe metal forming the tangs. Consequently, whether the 'circle defined by the vpointed ends of the circumferentially spaced tangs '|'9 is under Vor Yover size, `said ktangs will always pass freely through the annular "slot 'and engage the anvil surface 22. Itrshould be observedthat the curvatureof the said surface is-substantially uniform throughout its width `so as to `cause the -ends of the tangs always to contact an outwardly sloping Asurface and 'buckling 'of the ltangs is avoided. that the cross-section 'of the annular groove 2| Vcan be 'reversed `so 'as tocause the t'angs to curl inwardly'instead of outwardly as disclosed.

The female member '|`2 best illustrated in Figs.

r1 and 2, .preferably consists of a circular socket element -25 and an attaching-element or cap 26. .The *socket element 25 also preferably is formed from a thin circula-r sheet of metal having `an :inner cylindrical Wall 21 formed, on its lower face end, with an internal vflange 'or lip 28 to provi-de a restricted opening to receive the stud I6 of the .associated male'member when the lparts are matingly engaged. The inner cylindrical wall l2`| and the internal lip 28 are suitably slit longitudinally, as a-t I29, at one or more points (three being shown) to denne a plurality -of resilient lingers adapted to yield 'outwardly when the Vstud is admitted or withdrawn therefrom. A second or -outer cylindrical `wall 3| surrounds and Iis lsubstantially 'co-extensive with the inner wall Af2"| and is joined thereto by a fold 32 at the upper 4ends 'of said walls. The lower end of the outer cylindrical wall 3| terminates substantially in the plane of the lower end of the inner socket wall at which terminus it flares 'outwardly slightly downwardly to merge with a .substantially Vflat margin to'ldenefa circular flange-33'. VIf desired, the outercircumferential edge of Vthe flange 33 may be `folded-over upwardlyand then inwardly to provide areinforcing Vbead 34, similar Vto the It should be apparent `at `this time bead |B on the stud flange It will be noted that the circular flange 33 lies in a plane substantially below the plane of the lower end of the socket.

A plurality of piercing tangs 35, circumferentially spaced about the stud receiving socket, preferably are struck out of the body of flange 33 and outer cylindrical wall 3|, as shown. Although any required number of piercing tangs maybe provided, it is preferably in this instance, that only -three such tangs be `struck to avoid probable weakening of the socket element. The tangs 35 preferably are bent upwardly substantially at right angles to the plane of the flange 33, inwardly of the outer circumferential edge thereof.

To mount the female member, the socket element '25 fis located over one face of the material |3 with its tangs 35 in contact therewith. When pressure is applied the tangs are forced through the material and the-pointed ends `curloutwardly radially into an inwardly opening circumferential channel 23' :providedin the .attaching lele-'- ment 25. The element 26 differs from -the'attaching element `I5 in that it has an `annular ridge 36 on Vits inside j-face spaced inwardly A.from the circumferential nchannel 23. rllhe 'annular ridge `36 and :the free inn'er edge --of fthe outer :channel wall vconstitute .the inner and outer 'edges pf 4an annular ent-rance slot 21| through which kthe tangs 35 pass when theeleme'n-ts are assembled. During the assembly operation, .the outwardly and upwardly inclined anvil Asurface 22, lformed by the outer face of the annular ridge '533, is

. initially contacted b-y `the pointed ends of 'ithe tangs, consequently said tangs always Acurl youtwardly radially -into the channel 23.

The attaching elements or vcaps |-5 and 26, although illustrated and `described as formed of a .molded plastic, .obviously may -be made of .any suitable lmaterial such as for example wood,-bone or solid or sheet metal, and the like. Ift-should lbe `noted also that the attaching element 26 is shaped -on its bottom face to conform substantially vto the contourof the socket member thus minimizing Aoverall Athickness inthe installation. The improved fastener installation lis :not .read-ily damaged and the parts are vnot liablefto tea-r or pull ythrough .the material jto which ythey are attached. The resilient socket construction, *wherein* the zresilientngers are vsurrounded by the outer cylindrical wall,is such thatvt'herngers arel not permanently distorted or otherwise damaged should the assembly `be subjected to lateral pulling, which in the absence -of `said cylindrical 4outer wall, would tend to :bend 'one or more `of the :resilient fmgersout -of cylindrical alignment. Further, the resilient lingers 1are adequately protected against damage during fthe insertion of Athe stud by .the Yinclined circular .portion of the Aflange '.33 immediately-surround- Vingthe VsocketY wl'iich circular ,portion serves asa 'guide to protect the resilient fingers fand .direct the stud into the recessed circular socket opening.`

y The instant structure alsoprotects the iespansible Asocket wall fromlbe'in'g damaged sholdfthe `material carrying I'the'fernale member be dropped or stepped upon, aswell as 'while "the material `is being laundered.

The socket element is like that illustrated `1 in all `respects except *that in fthis 'embodiment the piercingrtan'gs 35a, which Valso arevstr-uck out -o'f theoutercylindrical wall 3| and nge 33, *are -beritfnplward'iy at the rola 'szij'oirimg the -Iinnerlandouter 3a illustrated 'in Fig. f4,

cylindrical walls.` The structure provided is readily adapted to co-act with an attaching element substantially smaller in its overall diameter than the attaching cap 26 illustrated in Fig. 1. Also, the position of the tangs is such that they may be relatively short, thus minimizing the amount of material struck out of the body of the element and thereby providing a stronger item.

Fig. illustrates a socket element 25h wherein the resilient fingers formed by the slotted inner cylindrical wall 21 are reinforced against excessive outward flexing by a surrounding wall 3|b in the same manner as the socket elements previously described. This socket differs, however, from those earlier mentioned in that the outer circumferential marginal portion of the circular flange 33 is folded upwardly and then inwardly to lie against the top face of said flange. The reinforcing ring 34h thus provided has a plurality of circumferentially spaced .piercing tangs 35h integral with its inner circumferential edge.

The socket element shown in Fig. 6 preferably is made of two pieces. It includes an inner circular piece of sheet material formed to provide an inner cylindrical wall 21 having an internal flange or lip 28 on its lower end and one or more longitudinal slits 29 therein to lprovide a plurality of resilient stud engaging fingers. An outer cylindrical reinforcing wall 3| is joined to the inner cylindrical wall at their upper ends by a `fold 32. The wall 3l terminates substantially in the plane of the lower end of the resilient fingers a-t which terminus it merges into an external substantially flat circular flange 33e. An internally channelled ring 31, tted over the circular flange 33e, has one wall 38 underlying the bottom face of said flange and terminating with its inner circumferential margin rolled upwardly slightly so -as to be disposed in close proximity to the lower internally flanged end of the inner cylindrical wall 21. The other wall 39 of said ring overlies the top face of the circular flange 33o and has its inner circumferential edge disposed substantially in contact with the outer face of the outer cylindrical wall 3|. A plurality of piercing tangs 35e are struck upwardly from and substantially at rightI angles to the channel wall 39 thereby providing, similarly to previously described structures, attached means for securely installing the socket element on a piece of material.

It should be noted at this time that the circular flange 33C is substantially less in material thickness than the spacing between the upper and lower walls 39 and 38 of the channelled ring 31 and that said ring has an internal diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the outer circumference of the circular flange 33o. This structure allows the inner socket portion to shift slightly relative to the channelled ring 31 after the unit has been secured to the material so as to aord means whereby said resilient socket may readily align itself with a mating stud element. The upwardly turned inner margin of the channel bottom wall 38 protects the lower socket end from damage which might ordinarily result from any excessive pressure being applied to the face of the socket element and also guides the stud element into the socket during assembly.

The two-piece socket disclosed in the installation shown in Fig. '1, includes a resilient or expansible stud receiving socket formed by an internally flanged slit cylindrical wall 21d which has its upper end terminate in a downwardly and outwardly flared substantially conical breast portion 3|d. The breast portion 3|d preferably terminates at or slightly below the plane of the flanged lower socket end and merges with a substantially flat circular flange 33d. An internally channelled ring 31d embraces loosely the flange 33d and its upper wall 39d is provided on its inside circumferential edge with integral piercing tangs 35d which extend upwardly substantially -at right angles thereto. The lower wall 38d of the ring 31d preferably is curved downwardly from the outer edge thereof and then upwardly and terminates in an upwardly turned cylindrical wall 4| having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the resilient socket 21d.

The instant structure provides a unit wherein the inner or socket part may readily shift slightly relative to the attaching ring so as to facilitate its alignment with a mating stud element; and also affords means to protect the resilient socket ngers against damage either from an outside pressure upon the face of said socket or during insertion of a stud therein, The cylindrical surrounding wall 4| adequately prevents unlimited outward flexing and permanent distortion of the lingers should the attached fastener elements, when matted, be subjected to lateral strain.

Obviously, the instant improvements provide snap fastener installations wherein each fastener element is substantially embedded in the material and is adequately reinforced to prevent distortion of any essential portion thereof. The relative thinness of the flat marginal edges of the fastener elements and particularly those illustrated in Figs. l to 5, inclusive, tends to bring the complemental pieces of material closely together as distinguished from certain known types of fasteners having a large rolled edge to receive tangs carried by the attaching member.

Although exemplary forms of construction have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosure is illustrative rather than restrictive and that the invention is not -to be limited thereby but is to embrace such variations as will fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A snap fastener element comprising, in combination, a stud rec-eiving resilient socket, a flange integral with the upper end of said Socket extending downwardly in close spaced relation annularly to the adjacent surface of the socket and terminating in a circular marginal portion disposed in a plane below the lower end of the socket, and a plurality of circumferencially spaced piercing tangs struck out of said flange inwardly of its free circumferential edge and disposed substantially at right angles to the plane of Said marginal portion.

l2. A snap fastener socket element comprisin-g, in combination, an inner cylindrical wall, an internal lip on the lower end of said wall, said lip and wall having slits therein to provide resilient stud engaging fingers, an outer cylindrical wall Ico--extensive with and closely spaced from and surrounding said fingers, said wall being integral at one end with the upper socket end and providing a backing for the fingers to prevent permanent distortion thereof when said fingers are flexed outwardly during use, an external circumferencial flange integral with the lower end of said outer Wall disposed in a plane below the plane of the lower end of the inner wall, said external flange having its outer circumferencial edge folded upwardly and inwardly to define a reinforcing ring lying against the top surface of said flange, and a plurality of piercing tangs integral with 'the free inner edge of said vring .andiextending upwardlysubstantially at right angles thereto.

3. A one-piece 'snap fastener :socket element comprising, in combination, an inner 'cylindrical wall, an internal iiange on the lower fend fof said wall, said internal flange and wall having a plurali'ty of slits therein to provide Vresilient-'stud engaging fingers, an outer cylindrical wall .joined 'at its upper end with the upper end of 'said inner wall and terminating, at a plane below the lower end of said inner wall, in ran external circular ange, said outer wall having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside `diameter fof the inner wall so as to limit outward ilexing :nf the resilient fingers, and a plurality of piercing ta-rigs y with the upper end of said inner Wall `and te'r- ,Y Ininating, at a plane below the lower end `of said inner wall, in an external circular flange, a circurnferencial reinforcing ring integral with Vand lying tightly against the circumferencial margin Yof said flange, said outer wall having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the inner Wall so as to limit outward flexing of the resilient fingers, and a plurality of piercing tangs on sai-d element inwardly of the reinforcing ring.

5. A snap fastener Vsocket element comprising, in combination, an inner cylindrical wall,jsaid wall having slits therein to provide resilient stud engaging fingers, an outer cylindrical wall coextensive with and closely Jspaced from and 'sur'- rounding said fingers, said wall being integral :at -one end with the upper socket end and providing a backing for the fingers to prevent permanent distortion thereof when Isaid ring-ers are "flexed outwardly during use, an external circumferencial ange integral with the lower end 'of :said outer wall disposed in a plane below lthe plane of the VIl() lower `end of ,ther-inner wall, said external iiange having itsouter circumferencial edgefoldedover against a surface of said flange, :and a' plurality oi 4piercing tangs integral with and spaced inwardflyfof the Acircumferencial -edge rof `:said yilange.

V6. A one-piece snap fastener :socket element comprising, lin combination, an inner cylindrical wall, said inner wall having a plurality of fslits therein to provide resilient Stud engagingngers, Yan outer cylindrical wall joined at its upper end with the upper end of said inner wall and terminating, at aplane below the flowerxendvof said-inner wall,in anexternal circular -iiangefsa-idiouter Wall having fan inside diameter 'slightly larger than the outside diameter of the inner wall so aas to 4limit 4outward exing of the resilient fingers, and a plurality of piercing tangs integral with said element, said tangs 'being .circumferencially spaced inwardly of the free circumferencialfedge of 'the flange.

7. A snap Vfastener socket element comprising, in combination, an inner cylindrical zwall, said inner wall having a plurality of slits ytherein to provide resilient'stud engaging fingers, an `outer 'cylindrical wall vjoined 'at its upper end With the upper end lof'said inner wall an-d terminating, substantially in the plane of the `lower end of said inner wall, in an external circular ange, a circumferencial reinforcing ring integral with and lying tightly against the circumferenoial margin of said flange, said outer 4wall having an Vinside diameter slightly largerzthan the outside diameter ofthe inner wall so as to limit outward `flexing of the resilient lingers, and a plurality of piero.- ing tangs on .said element `inwardly of the reinforcing ring.

y8. A snap fastener element comprising, vin com bination, a stud receiving socket, a flange integral with the upper end of said socket extending downwardly and terminating in a circular ymarginal portion `disposed substantially rin the lplane of the lower end of the socket,.and a Vplurality vof circumferentially spaced piercing Ytangs 'struck Aout of said flange inwardlyiofrits free circumferencial edge and disposed substantiallyat .right d angles to the plane of said marginal zportion.

:HAROLD 'J. REITER. 

